The Maroons are confident they have the experience and depth to compensate for the absence of retired great Darren Lockyer in this year's State of Origin series.

Lockyer departed the Origin arena last year when he led Queensland to its sixth straight series win, capping off a remarkable Maroons career that included 36 caps beginning back in 1998.

Johnathan Thurston, Lockyer's long-time partner in the halves for the Maroons, will move to five-eighth with Australia Test half-back Cooper Cronk to start in the number seven jersey against New South Wales in Melbourne on Wednesday week.

Cronk has been a part of the Maroons set-up since 2010, having made six appearances off the interchange bench.

He said the experience of playing Origin on the bench has made him a better player and he is ready for the next step.

"Darren has laid the platform for what has been a successful Queensland team through his time," Cronk said.

"There are a few blokes who now get the opportunity to pick up the baton and run with it."

"There is nothing like starting a game of football for Queensland."

Cronk said that although his combination with Thurston is untested at Origin level he said the friendship the pair have built should assist their on-field understanding.

"Knowing each other's role and knowing each other as people off the field tends to help," Cronk said.

"The Test was an example of how we like to play in the same team together."

The Maroons proved during their streaks of victories that they could win without Lockyer, who was sidelined in the 2008 series due to complications relating to the knee injury he sustained the previous year.

Thurston, Scott Prince and Karmichael Hunt appeared in the halves for the Maroons in their 2-1 series triumph four years ago and lock Ashley Harrison is confident they can win again without Lockyer.

He noted that a player of Lockyer's stature will be missed, but the fact the Maroons possess a host of experienced campaigners meant the squad will not be found wanting in the leadership department.

"Most of the boys have been here before," Harrison said.

"Having Locky not here is going to be a great loss for us, but I'm sure the guys there have done the job before and looking forward to the challenge."

Prop Matthew Scott admitted there was a different feel already amongst the Maroons squad without Lockyer, but he has faith Cameron Smith will lead by example as captain.

"Obviously whenever you lose a player of Locky's calibre there's a bit of a gap there," he said.

"But we're fortunate enough to have Cameron Smith step into that captaincy role and a lot of other guys are leaders in their own clubs, so I'm sure we will be served really well by those guys."

The Maroons leave Brisbane for Melbourne today to begin their pre-Origin camp.